sport

It’s been a long time since I have written anything. I was really looking for a fresh topic , something that really throws up some light on a current event. There are so many news and views , a lot of political drama that just never stops in this great nation of a billion and offcourse the chatpata masaledar news from “BOLLYWOOD”..uh…that’s a lot of stuff. But finally I made up my mind to throw some light and discuss some pros and cons of the ongoing IPL , probably the hottest event that’s doing the rounds these days.

I still remember the hot debates and comments that started pouring when the idea of the “INDIAN PREMIERE LEAGUE , Season-1” was roped in . I think even Lalit Modi, the brain behind this , would have ever imagined that this idea of his to bring the cricketing superstars from all parts of the world to participate in the shortest format of the game would do such wonders and reach to the top when it comes to TRP’s and TV viewership. Anyways my focus in this article would be to throw an insight into the plethora of opportunities that this mega event has gifted to the youngsters , a platform from where they can launch themselves and get into the limelight. It’s like a new Pandora Box with so much in it.

Initially there were a lot of debates on the T20 format , the major ones being the effects that it would have on the traditional Test match cricket and ODI’s. Many of the cricketing legends felt that it would divert the young minds and attract them to this cash rich extravaganza , which in turn would adversely affect their basics . As an avid cricket fan and offcourse a cricketer(failed 🙂 ) I thought the same and although the stuff was entertaining I felt that this format is surely destroying the Gentleman’s game, not to mention the involvement of business tycoons and bollywood gliterrati and offcourse the cheerleaders (the greatest setback as far as I’m concerned).

But off late I have realised that there are so many positives that this event has to offer. Just to take you all a walk down my memory lane … there were so many good cricketers during my playing days whom I thought would make it big. But with limited opportunities most of them had to choose other carrier options . But the game has changed , I agree that the only dream a budding cricketer could possibly dream was putting on the blue jersey and be a part of the Indian team , that was there only chance to share the dressing room with their idols, but with so many players starting from the club levels to the state and national levels , there were only a handful who could actually make it big. But with the advent of the IPL these cricketers have a glow in their eyes , at least they have that extra opportunity to grab, to share the same platform with the likes of their childhood heroes like Sachin and Warne and to add to that the great contract offers , enough for these youngsters to keep themselves motivated for the entire year.

I would like to narrate an incident about a bright young cricketer whose story actually inspired me to write this article and express my views. He was considered one of the brightest youngsters, a prospect for the nation, I’m talking about Subhash Dixit , the lad from UP. I know, this name is unknown to most of you but I had known him, I had watched him play at the Junior level for team India. A guy who captained the likes of Irfan, Kaif and many others had certainly vanished from the scene and with no opportunities he had to take the extreme step, he committed suicide, I was really shocked to hear this news , he was from a poor family , could not even make it to the state Ranji side and seeing all doors closed before him simply decided to end his life.

At least the IPL and other such events have ensured that these youngsters have something to look forward to if not the Ranji or national side for new comers that has won the matches with maximum runs record and the board of cricket is now offering them ipl 2020 schedule dates in advance so that they can prepare for all the upcoming matches quickly and they will be getting new dresses with sponsor ship which provides more win. They can make it big and surely come to the limelight. It really makes me happy when I see someone like Manish Pandey opening the batting with Jaques Kallis or a Saurabh Tiwari hitting the ball out of the park with Sachin Tendulkar at the other end of the crease watching the ball sail through. These things really fascinates me .

Cheers and thumbs up to the budding talents , who knows you may be the next Keiron Pollard or Manish Pandey.

Before I conclude I would like to salute the Little Master who just keeps improving day by day and raising the bar for himself, a sure motivation for these boys to keep moving. I wish he never stops playing………